Feasibility study under way for Kootenay School of the Arts building
Nearly three months have passed since the students and instructors at Kootenay School of the Arts (KSA) in Nelson were informed that Selkirk College would be discontinuing its programs in ceramics, textiles and metal. A mass response to this announcement quickly ensued and promptly filled the walls and inboxes with testimonials and letters in support of the value that these long-anchored craft-education programs have in this region.
The letters are still coming in, and people on Baker Street still stop and ask, “What’s happening with KSA?”
A collective of cultural organizations and artists, including KSA instructors, have been diligently working behind the scenes to determine just how the KSA building can be transformed into a vibrant arts-focused centre, instead of being shuttered.
“We are envisioning a sustainable, community-led future for this space, and changing the narrative from closure to transition,” comments Robin DuPont, ceramics faculty at KSA. “Our vision is one that preserves the KSA’s legacy, and it continues to be a place where hands-on skills are taught and valued.”
A feasibility study is now under way to help clarify just what that might look like, and to determine potential pathways to community impact and financial sustainability of the facility.
Nordicity—a leading international consulting firm providing private- and public-sector clients with solutions for economic analysis, strategy and business, and policy and regulation in arts, culture and heritage—has been hired for this critical planning work. The project is being led by the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council and the Nelson & District Arts Council.
Several community cultural organizations have stepped forward to contribute financial support towards the feasibility study, including Greater Nelson Economic Development, Osprey Community Foundation, Oxygen Arts Centre, the Nelson Lions Club, the North-West Ceramics Foundation, the Capitol Theatre and the Slocan Valley Threads Guild.
The project will encompass an assessment of community needs for creative and cultural spaces, governance and operating models, and possible partnerships and funding opportunities to secure financial resilience for this emerging collective.
The collective is scheduled to present the findings of the feasibility study to the City of Nelson mid-February 2026, and is remaining optimistic that City Council sees this initiative as a critical investment in Nelson’s cultural and economic future.
“It’s the first step towards something new and exciting,” says DuPont. “Our programs have a proven history of attracting people from across the country and contributing to our local economy. With strong community support when the time comes, we can ensure this legacy continues for years to come.”